CT Pathways to Integrated Employment (CTPIE) is an initiative in Connecticut that helps eligible youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities find employment, working side-by-side with people of all abilities and earning competitive wages and benefits.
CTPIE offers a pathway to work through specialized services tailored to each person’s unique skills, interests, and needs. This helps to ensure all people who want to work have the opportunity they deserve to be successfully employed. Employment is an important part of everyone’s life and has many benefits including financial security, expanded social networks and stronger confidence.
CTPIE is led by the CT Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) in collaboration with several state agencies and partners.
Want to learn more? Complete our online form and one of our coordinators will get back to you.
Information for job seekers
If you are a young adult exiting your special education program or an adult currently working for sub-minimum wage, CTPIE can help. Specially trained CTPIE counselors work one-on-one with youth and adults with I/DD to find jobs that meet your needs and interests and pay competitive wages.
CT PIE participants receive enhanced services tailored to your unique skills, interests, and abilities. Specially trained staff will work with you one-on-one to provide the services you need to support your employment goals. Every person has different goals, needs, and abilities and we make sure that the plan we develop with you meets those goals. You will be part of the decision-making process along the way so that you are confident in your path forward. Each CT PIE participant sets their own timeline. There is no time limit when it comes to finding just the right job for you.
Our services
In addition to the existing services available to you through BRS, there are additional services to meet your unique needs.
- Individualized, person-centered approach
- Skills developments and additional education
- Exploring the right job for you
- Prepare you for getting and advancing on the job
- Job placement and on the job support
For a more comprehensive look at the services available to you, contact CT PIE and one of our coordinators will get back to you.
Information for families and advocates
CTPIE is here to help you as you support and guide your family member seeking employment. If working is a choice they make for their future, we can provide services and support to ensure they find a job that fits their skills, interests and abilities that also pays competitive wages.
How can you get involved?
As family, we know you want to ensure your family member with a disability is making the best choices for themselves, while keeping them safe.
We also recognize that having a job is something you might not have considered for them, but it is possible. Everyone that wants to work should have the opportunity to do so and can do it successfully in the right environment, with a job matched to their skills and abilities.
Our staff are committed to making this a positive and welcoming experience for you and your family member. Our approach is focused on them, their needs and abilities, and promotes long term success.
We encourage you to be actively engaged so that you are comfortable in the decisions being made and support them in making informed decisions about their employment.
What can you do to help?
- Let your loved ones know they have your support and encouragement.
- Allow them to explore their interests.
- Support their development of job skills.
- Help build their self-advocacy skills.
- Encourage their willingness to try new things
- Allow them to make mistakes. Trial and error is part of the job search and development process.
Information for educators
As an educator you play a pivotal role in the future of your students as they transition into adulthood. You can be an important influencer in the direction their future will take.
Why get involved?
As an educator, you have spent countless hours with your students and understand their motivations, needs and unique talents and skills. The relationship you have built with them, and their families, is a meaningful one, and carries a lot of value and influence.
You are a trusted source of information. At this new juncture in their life, you can be a voice that guides them towards a path they may not have previously considered. You play an important role in their transition into adulthood and can help influence what their future could look like.
How can you get involved?
- Help drive awareness and interest about Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) as a viable option.
- Share information about CTPIE to your student and their families.
- Be an advocate of CTPIE.
- Reach out to CT PIE counselors and discuss opportunities for your students.
- Connect your student and their families to CTPIE.
Eligibility requirements
Through a special grant to the State, CT Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) in collaboration with several state agencies and partners is enrolling both youth and adults with I/DD into services that will match and support them to a job in the community with wages at or above minimum wage.
Who can enroll in CT PIE?
You may be able to participate in CT PIE if:
- You are a student with Intellectual and Development Disabilities (I/DD) who is eligible for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), and you are interested in employment after high school, or
- You are an adult with Intellectual and Development Disabilities (I/DD) who is eligible for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and are currently working in sub-minimum wage employment, which means earning below the current CT state minimum wage, and you are also interested in earning competitive wages and benefits.
What is DDS Eligible?
To learn about DDS Eligibility visit the DDS Eligibility Fact Sheet.
Testimonial
Hear from one of our self-advocates about their journey with CT PIE:
Contact CT Pathways to Integrated Employment